Cash register



April 2, 1929.

f'ulilll" E. J. VON PEIN ET AL I 1,707,377

CASH. REGISTER Filed May 4, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet FIG. 1

inventor, Edward J. Von Pein and Arthur G. Kramer April 2, 1929- E. J, VON PEIN ET AL 3 1,707,377

CASH REGISTER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 87 as 4 \y 92 1 9 90 1 94 0 as l 7 l 1 9a 6! so 58 l 56 5715!? 1 I05 48 48 4 e4 4 400 r 49 55 r h E H I I r i 3 L 3 I 1! x 30 1 30 QJZ g L72 L72 g gvvuenfoz Edward J. Von Pain and Arthur G. Kramer April 2 1929. J. VON PEIN ET AL 1,707,377

CASH REGISTER Filed May 4, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 gmumfloz Edward J. Van Pain and Arthur G. Kramer Hi! affozucqdl Patented Apr. 2, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD J. VON PEIN AND ARTHUR Gr. KRAME O33 DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS, BY

MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE NATIONAL GA OHIO, A CORPORATION OF IVIARYLANID.

CASH REGISTER.

Application filed May 4,

This invention relates to cash registers of the lever key type.

An object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive construction whereby items registered by the keys may be entered simultaneously in one or more totalizers and a printed record made of each item.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which is readily adaptable to an unlimited number of keyboard arrangements without the necessity of providing a multitude of yoked actuating frames and other parts.

With these and incidental objects in View, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification.

Of said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a transverse sectional view taken to the left of the right side frame with parts omitted for clearness.

Fig. 2 is a detail view of the totalizer transfer mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine with parts omitted for clearness.

Fig. 4 is a detail View showing the driving shaft operating mechanism.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the registering mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the arrangement of the graduated cam slots of a group of keys for causing a differential movement of the actuating segment.

General description.

Described in general terms, the machine comprises a series of manipulative devices suchas item keys which actuate mechanism for entering amounts in one or more totalizers, and set up type carrying members to print upon suitable record material the amount entered at each operation of the item keys.

, In the present application the keyboard arrangement used for illustrating the invention is only one of a great number in common use in various business establishments. In order to satisfy the demand for all the various keyboard arrangements it is necessary 1925. Serial No. 27,743.

by means of segments which are operated directly by means of the keys cooperating with a rod carried by the segments. The segments are caused to move in unison bycooperating pinions secured to a shaft. In order to vary the construction for different keyboal'l arrangements all that is necessary to locate the actuators, segments and the pinions according to the requirements of the keyboard desired. The rods are loosely mounted between, the segments, so that they too can vary according to the location of the segmen From this it is apparent that with this-improved construction, all the segments and actuators can be standard for all keyboards and the only varying parts are the rods and drive shafts.

Specifically described, the machine comprises a plurality of groups of amount or item keys 30 pivoted on a transverse rod 31 mounted in the side frames of the machine. The rear ends the keys engage a key coupier 32 which swings on trunnions 33 jourm naled in the side frames of the machine. The keys 30 have upwardly extending arms 38 in which are formed graduated cam slots 39 engaging; a rod 40 freely supported at its shouldered ends in gear segments 41 and 42 journaled on a rod 43 supported by the side anies of the machine. The shoulders on theends of the rod 40 prevent axial shifting of the rod. The graduated cam slots 39 (Figs. 1 and 6) are so arranged that the keys representing diiferent amounts will cause a ciiierential movement of the segments 41 and 42 by the operation of the keys. The slots are so formed or shaped that the segments, 1' the i rluence of the operated keys, will start slowlg, increase their speed of movemerit, and then slowly come to a stop. This is for 'he purpose of reducing to a minimum the momentum of the parts operated by the segments. 7

Referring to Fig. 3, it may be seen that the item keys 30 are 2111 anged in three groups, as follows: The right hand group represents cents; the middle group represents dimes; and the left hand group represents dollars. There are nine keys in each of the cent and dime groups, and only two keys in the dollar group. The number of keys in the dollar group may be increased by widening the machine. The key arrangement disclosed herein. is by way of illustration only. Any of the well known key arrangements in the rt can be used with the mechanism disclosed herein. Each group of keys is provided with gear segments 11 and 12 freely mounted on the rod 13 and maintained in lateral position by spacing collars (not shown). The cents gear segments 4(1 and 432 are in mesh with pinions 4 lfastened to a shaft supported in the side frames of the machine. The gear segments 4-1 and 12 for the dimes group of keys are in mesh with pinions l6 fastened to a shaft 17, and the gear segments 11 and 412 for the dollar group of keys are in mesh with pinions 18 fastened to a shaft 4:9. I

It should. be noted that the segments all and 12 are loosely mounted on the shaft 4 2-} and that the rod 10 is freely supported at its ends by the segments 41 and 12. This construction, without the use of the shafts a5, 17 and 19, together with the pinions ist, 16 and 48, Would permit these parts to twist out of alignment with each other. However, by using the pinions, each meshing w th one of the segments 41 and 12 of a pair, the segments are forced to move in unison and thus prevent any possibility of twistin In this manner the pinion shafts together with their pinions provide an equalizing mechanism for the segments 11 and 412. As above mentioned, this construction permits a great saving in time in assembling these parts and also a flexible arrangen'ient because the parts are loosely mounted in their respective positions, and therefore all that is necessary when assembling them to slide them into place.

The pinion shafts as, l? and have also fastened thereto pinions 53, 54. and respectively which are in mesh with totalizer actuating segments 56, 57 and 58. A second group of totalizer actuating segments 59. 60 and 61 are in mesh with pinions 62, 63 and 64 respectively. These pinions are fast to the shafts upon which they are mounted. Any number of actuating segments can be used in disclosed to actuate connection with the mechanism herein, thereby making it possible any number of totalir/iers desired.

The gear segments a1 and 4-2 for each group of item keys 30 are locked against movement. unless a key in their respective group is operated. Projecting laterally from either of the gear segments 41 or 42, as the case may be, is a square pin 1 and 5), which contacts the end of a hook 71 formed on either on a driving shaft end of a yoke 72 also Fig. which is freely mounted upon the rod 31 and held in normal position by a spr ng When the yoke 72 is in its home position, it engages a projection Tel. formed on each of the keys 30. The depressin of any key in a group will immediately move the yoke 2 a round the rod 31 in a contiter-clockwise direction, removing the hook l1 away from the square pin T0. The unlocking of the gear segments takes plac before the graduated. cam slots 39 in the keys cause movement of the rod all) supported in the gear segments.

The gear segments an and are positivcly returned to their home or locked position by a cam 75 1 and engaging a rearwardly extending arn'i 76 on the gear segments 4:1 and ll hile the cam slots 39, in the key ari'ns 38 (lfi 1) will positively more the gear segments lirst clockwise, and then counter-clockwise, the ram 75 provides an additional means for returning the gear se ments to home position. The cam 75 is fast 7 77 supported by the side frames of the mac-b ii The driving shaf operated by mechanism generally used. in this type of machine, and is well known in the art, and tl erofore only a brief description of th s mecbanisu'l will be given herein. Referring to Fig. l, the key coupler 32 carries a pin 78 on which is freely mounted a square block '79 engaging a slot in driving double rack 80 which cooperates with. a pinion 81 secured to the driving suaft 77. Q h

Total eers.

The items registered by the keys 30 are simultaneously accumulated in two totalizers S7 and 88 (Fig. pported by ari'ns 89, 90, 91, and 92, which are pivotally n'iountcd upon a rod 93, supported at each end by the side fran'ies of the machine. Only two totalizers are disclosed herein, but any ninnber can be convei'iiently provided. These totalizors have the us elements found. in accumulators of this type, and are well known in the art, and therefore only a brief description of this mechanism will be given herein.

The totalizcrs are held in lateral position on the rod 93 by any suitable means such as spacing collars or sleeves (not shown).

Each totalizer has three regular accumulating wheels and three over-flow accumulating wheels. The three regular accumulating wheels of the totalizer 87 are actuated by the actuating segments 5-6, 5"? and 58 previously described; and the three regular accumulating wheels of the totalizer 88 are actuated by the actratingsegments 59. 60 and 61 previously describe l.

lVhen the totalizers are in normal position. as shown in F 1, pinions 9 1 secured to digit wheels of the totalizers are disengaged from the actuating segments. Just lll) prior to the clockwise movement of the actuat'mg segments, the totalizers .87 and 88 are moved counter-clockwise around the rod 93 to place the pinions 94; in mesh with the teeth of the actuating segments, where they are maintained until the actuating segments have completed their clockwise movement, when said totalizers will again be returned to their normal or disengaged position. The right hand totalizer 87 is positively moved into-and out of engagement with the actuat ing segments by a cam 96 secured to the driving shaft 7 7 and cooperating with a roll 97 mounted ona bell crank 98, pivotally mounted 011 a rod 99 supported in the side rames of "the machine. An upwardly extending arm 100 of the bell crank 98 is bifurcated at its upper end to engage a pin carried by a downwardly extending arm 106 on the totalizer arm 89 of the right hand totalizer 87 The left hand totalizer 88 is operated in manner similar to that of the right hand totalizer just described.

The totalizer transfer mechanism is of the reciprocating pawl type used to operate [he totalizer wheels of higher order and each wheel is positively operated by a cam 107 (F ig. 2) secured to the driving shaft 7'? and cooperating with a roll 10.8 carried on a bell crank 109 pivotally mounted on the rod 99. An upwardly extending arm 110 of the bell crank 109 is bifurcated'at its upper end to engage a pin 111 mounted in a lever 112 pivoted on the rod 93. Pivoted on the upper end of the lever 112, at a point 113, is a spring-pulled transfer pawl 114. The left hand or forward end 115 of the pawl is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 116, secured to the digit wheel 95 of the totalizer, and carry from a wheel of lower order to a wheel of higher order.

The transfer pawl 11 1 is normally held in an ineffective position by a pawl 117 having a shoulder 118 engaging a laterally project ing arm 119011 the pawl 114:. The pawl 117 is mountedon a rod 120 supported in the arms 89 and 90 of the totalizer and is held in engagement with the transfer pawl 114 by a spring 121. The pawl 117 has a nose 122 which lies in the plane of a trip cam 123 secured to and rotating with the digit wheel 95 of the totalizer. As the digit wheel advances from the nine position to the zero position, the trip member 123 will engage the nose 122 on the trip pawl 117 and move the pawl in a clockwise direction, moving the shoulder 118 away from the arm 119, allowing the transfer pawl 11% to move on its pivot in a counter-clockwise direction, placing the left hand or forward end 115 in a position to "engage a tooth of the ratchet wheel 116 so that the totalizer wheel may be advanced one step of movement when said pawl 114 is moved to the left (Fig. 2) by the cam 107, bell crank 109 and lever 112.

The transfer mechanism shown in Fig. '2 may be duplicated for each wheel of thetotalizers with the exception of the first or cents wheel where no transfer is needed.

Priw 236?.

The items, as they are entered, may be printed upon record material 129 (131g. 1)

by type carriers 13 mounted upon a rod 131 supported in the side frames the machine. Fastened to the type car iers is pinions 132 which are constantly in mesh with the actuating segments 56, 5'? and impr ions may be made from the type carriers by a platen 133 moui ted in an arm 13-?l fast to a rod 185. Legible in'rwc sions may be made upon the record mater hy the platen 183 striking the record mat 'ial against an inking ribbon 136 which lies between the record material and the type carrier. The impression arm 12-3 1 may be operated hand or by a suitable connection (not shown) with the driving shaft W.

0 pcmtioa.

The operation of the machine is the same as that of any key lever machine. Keys representing the amount to he reg -ered are pressed downwardly by the o1 rater, and then released to be returned to their home or normal position by the key coupler 32, a'ded by the spring 723.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admi ibiy adapted to fulfill the objects primarily st d, it understood that it not intended to coniine the invention to the one f! m or embodiment herein disclosed, for is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

hat I claim is 1. In a machine of the class described, the

con'ibination of a totalizer element, a diil'erential actuator therefor, laterally spaced pivotally mounted gear segme is to operate the differential actuator, a rod ro-citably supported in said gear seg a plurality oi keys engaging said rod to oilier ly operate the segments, a rotatable shaft, and a set of pinions on said shaft for causing s it segments to move in unison.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of like denominational totaliaers; actuating devices theref a plurality oi lever keys provided with din 'entially arranged cam slots ha-vin coinciding neutral sections, a set of laterally spaced pivoted gear segments a rotatable rod normally extending through the neutral sections of said slots .and supported at its ends by said gear segments and adapted to be moved different distances by said keys, a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of sets of pinions on said shaft, one of which sets meshes with the setof gear segments to cause them to move in unison, and another of which sets causes the like denominational actuating devices to move in unisonwi h said segments.

3. In a machine of the class described, the (on'ibinatioii o 1 a plurality of lever keys 'provided with di'tierential cam slots, a set of lat-- orally spaced pivoted gear segments diitl'erentially movable by said keys, a rotatable rod extending; through said slots and supported at its ends in said gear segments, a i.'otatabl shaft a set of pin ions secured to said rotatable shaft engaging said gear segments to cause th same to move in unison, a plurality of totalizcr elements of the same denomination, a plurality of laterally spaced pivoted actuating segn'ients for the totalizer elements, and a plurality of pinions secured to said rotatable shatt engaging said actuating segments.

l. in a machine of the class described, the combination with a totalizer element; a differential actuator in substantially the same plane with the totalizer element; and a group of laterally spaced keys to drive the actuatordilferentially; of laterally spaced, pivotally mounted gear segments; a rod supported in and extending between said gear segments; the rod being; of Sutiicient lengtn to be engaged by any of the keys of the grou p a shaft journaled in lined supports; pinions fast on the shaft and meshing with the respective gear segn'ients to cause them to rock in unison: and means on the shaft to drive the actuator.

In a machine of the class described, the combination with a totalizer elen'ient; a differential actuator in substantially the same plane with the totalizer element; and a group of laterally spaced keys to drive the actuator differentially; of laterally spaced, pivotally mounted gear segments; a rod rotatably supported. in and extending between said gear segments, the rod being provided with shoulders at its ends to prevent axial movement of the red, the rod beino' of sutlicient length to be engaged by any of the keys of the group; a shatt journaled in fixed supports; pinions on the. shaft and meshing with the respective gear segments to cause them to rock in unison; and means on the shaft to drive the actuator.

6' In machine of the class described, the combination of a plurality of sets of lever keys; pairs of suitably journaled gear segments, the individual members of each pair being spaced apart from each other; connecting rods extending between and loosely mounted in the individual members of each pair of gear scgn'ients, respectively, at points intermediate the tooth portions and the points at which the gear segments are journaled; the sets of gear segments and lover keys being adapted to coact with their respective connecting rods to actuate the corre sponding pairs of gear segments; a rotatable transmission shaft for each pair of gear segments; pairs ot' pinions fast on their respective shafts and spaced apart to constantly mesh with the respective pairs of gear segments whereby to cause the individual members of any pair of gear segments to rock in unison when a key in the corresponding set of keys is actuated; other pinions fast on each transmission shaft; pivoted actuating segments with which the last-named pinions respectively, engage; and totalizaer wheels operated by the actuating segments.

7. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination with a series of totalizer elements arranged in relative proximity; similarly ar ranged actuating segments for the respective totalizcr elements, located in substantially the same planes with their respective totalizer elements; and groups of keys to ditlerentially sh ift their appropriate deneminational actuators, the. several keys being dispersed relatively to each other; of means to commun'e cate the differential travel of the several dispersed keys of each group to a single actuator corresponding denoniinat-ionally with such group, including; a support; a pair of difiierentially shiftable gear segments spaced apart and mounted to rock on the support; a rod mounted in and extending between the gear segments, the rod being of sutiicicnt length to be cont-acted by any key in its respective denominational group; and an equalizing mechanism interposed between the ymirs of near segments of-the same denomination. and their corresponding actuators, comprising a di fl erential rotatable shaft journaled in lined sup ports, pinions fast on the shaft and meshing with the respective gear segments of corresponding denomination; and pinions fast on the shaft and meshing with the corresponding denon'iinational actuators.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures.

EDl VARD J. JOY PEIN. ARTHUR G. KRABLIER. 

